Rest is good. We’re taking a break from producing content over the summer. Enjoy this previously produced pattern and meditation.
With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4) O Lord, I suffer grief and loss. You alone are my comfort. Amen.
Word: Matthew 5:3-6
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Meditation
In order to listen clearly to Jesus, we’re going to spend time in Matthew chapters 5-7. Here he preaches his “Kingdom of God manifesto,” called The Sermon on the Mount. In it, he describes the values and virtues of the Kingdom of God. And he begins the Sermon on the Mount with the famous beatitudes. The “Blessed’s.” In America, we might think the Beatitudes would go something like this:
Blessed are the winners, for they take home the trophy.
Blessed are the successful, for they are happy with their wealth.
Blessed are those with thousands of likes, for they are the influencers.
Blessed are the powerful, for they triumph over their opponents.
But that’s not what Jesus said. He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. (Matt. 5:3-6)
His words seem backwards compared to the world around us. Think about other virtues and values of our American culture. What else about the Kingdom of God is backwards by comparison?
Jesus has a way of saying what no one else is saying, and doing what no one else does. Thank God for his backwards grace, his love for sinners, his life for ours.
Prayer for Life as a Child of God
· For the Father to give me care and guidance.
· For forgiveness when I wander and want my own way.
· For the Father to keep me childlike in faith even as I age.
· For growth in faith, that I love and trust in God above all things.
· For strength to obey God.
· For the Father to heal my hurts.
· For assurance when I doubt.
Closing Prayer
O Lord, your ways are not our ways. Teach us your will, even when it appears backwards. We want to know you. We want what you want. Thy will be done, in Jesus’ name. Amen.